Welcoming a child into your life invariably means welcoming said child into your home. Children come complete with gorgeous goos and gahs, all big eyes and chubby fingers. New bubs have enough charm to melt any heart. However, they also come with an enormous amount of stuff – which is not always as charming. Nappies, powder, playthings, cots, toys and odd socks will fill your home for years to come. The best idea is to use the time before bub arrives to plan how you’re going to manage their stuff, your space – and ultimately your sanity. Good storage is paramount. You will need to fit in everything from soccer balls to spare nappies, so having a variety of storage, with both drawers and cupboards is a good idea. But don’t think there is a need to forsake style. You have probably spent a lot of time creating a stylish space in your home, so creating a stylish space for bub is just as important. Consider which colours and storage systems are going to fit in best with the style of your house. Purchase furniture that will hide away toys at a moments notice – try ottomans that open and large wicker baskets. Use neutral colours as a base as toys can often assult the senses with their colour palettes. You will be spending a lot of time stepping on Lego or pushing Barbie’s dream house out of the way, so it’s a good idea to think about designated areas. Areas where the whole family will relax and get ready for sleep should be toy-free. Arrange comfy cushions and pillows for the little ones and ensure there is a soft rug or carpet as they will be spending a lot of time on the floor (as will you!) That leaves space for the Lego and Barbies elsewhere. Set up a little table and chairs for drawing and ensure their designated space has enough room for bigger toys such as model kitchens and impromptu cardboard forts. Free up the wall space to allow for future artistic endevours, but for now – try and incorporate a bit of whimsy and delight into the space with bunting and cute mirrors or prints. The more children feel the area is made for them, the more likely they will keep their things in the play area and not spread them throughout the house. That’s the idea anyway. Remove any breakable or sharp decor items from this area and keep it as soft and safe as possible. With some forethought and planning, you and your new arrival should be able to co-exist stylishly in common living spaces and playrooms.